Washington Huskies and WSU Cougars Set for Excellent Apple Cup
By Ben Renner
I wanted the Washington Huskies to face the Cougars in Pullman this year with an unblemished record as much as anyone, but even after the events of this weekend, this year’s Apple Cup will be the most compelling in years.
The Washington Huskies didn’t play their best game and still clobbered Arizona State yesterday while the WSU Cougars couldn’t overcome the Buffaloes in Boulder. As excited fans of Colorado are for their team as it heads to a potential Pac-12 South title, it’s disappointing to see the Cougars drop what could have been a signature win for Mike Leach and company.
Still, even after the Cougars’ loss, this year’s Apple Cup will be incredibly compelling. The Washington Huskies have one of the best defenses in the country and the Cougars come in with one of the best offenses. The Cougars had chances against Colorado to pull out a victory, but a few dropped passes, bonehead penalties, and Colorado’s Sefo Liufau repeatedly gashing them on the ground allowed the Buffaloes to pull away in the second half.
Meanwhile, in Seattle, the Washington Huskies managed to blow out the Sun Devils despite an uncharacteristically uneven performance from quarterback Jake Browning. The Huskies defense took over instead, sacking ASU quarterback Manny Wilkins six times and playing excellent coverage for most of the game. The Huskies beat ASU for the first time since 2001 and head into the Apple Cup with dreams of still sneaking into the CFP.
This weekend sets up an Apple Cup that hasn’t been on the national stage in decades. The Cougars still have a shot at a Pac-12 title if they can knock off the Huskies at home. The Huskies can prove they belong in the national title conversation if they can stop Luke Falk and company in Pullman. No matter which side you fall on for this clash of the Northwest titans, it will feature two nationally-ranked teams playing for more than statewide bragging rights.